1 Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer, |
2 And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house: |
3 Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. |
4 I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, |
5 Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints; |
6 That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. |
7 For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother. |
8 Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient, |
9 Yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. |
10 I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds: |
11 Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me: |
12 Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels: |
13 Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel: |
14 But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly. |
15 For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever; |
16 Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord? |
